Parents and community groups ask Tyler ISD for clear immigration stance and raise concerns about STAAR outcomes

Several residents used the public-comment period at Tuesday’s Tyler Independent School District board meeting to press trustees for clearer district communication about immigration enforcement and to criticize local third-grade STAAR goals and uncertified-teacher hires.

Who spoke: Carolyn Davis opened public comment with three topics, asking why Tyler ISD had not released a statement about its position on immigration enforcement at campuses despite multiple community requests. Davis asked, "Why keep students and parents wandering in fear? Do what's best for the students and families you serve. Please release a statement before the new school year starts."

Davis also criticized the district's third-grade STAAR targets and results, saying the district had set lower passing-goal rates for African American students and that the passing rates for African American students mirrored those of special education students. She argued the pattern "speaks volumes" and urged the district to prioritize students.

Another commenter speaking for East Texas Monarchs, an advocacy group, reiterated demands for a district statement about how it will protect undocumented students on campus, raise specific operational questions about what happens when parents are detained, and ask whether confidential student files would be shared with federal immigration officials. The speaker said families need clarity on authorized contacts: "Who will pick up that child at the end of the workday? Who will be trusted and who will be a trusted and authorized contact?"

A third public commenter, identified as a parent, criticized the district's communications practices and asked that the administration proactively inform families about state and federal actions that affect schools. The parent pointed to Longview ISD as an example, saying that district issued a public statement clarifying which funding had already been frozen and how it was working with its community.

Requests and outcomes: The public speakers asked the board to release a clear statement about campus cooperation with immigration enforcement, to identify where relevant policies appear in the district handbook (or to highlight the relevant sections), and to outline supports such as counseling for students who experience immigration-related stress or trauma. Board minutes record no formal response or action at the meeting beyond staff acknowledgement; one district staff member (Cody Leverett) sent a text acknowledgment to a commenter, which the commenter noted.

Why it matters: Commenters framed the requests as matters of student safety, access to services, and public transparency. They also tied concerns about teacher certification and standardized-test outcomes to broader conversations about student supports and district communication.

Ending: Trustees did not vote on or immediately adopt any of the public requests. Public-comment requests will remain on the record and trustees asked staff for follow-up on other agenda items during the meeting.